On 12 May 2006 the city of Montreal was appointed a UNESCO City of Design. The certificate ceremony took place in Montreal on 6 June and was attended by Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, the Director-General of UNESCO.

Even the city itself acknowledges that 'design in Montreal is not simply for show but a source of daily well-being' (Montreal’s Candidature File). Not only has Montreal demonstrated that design can be a powerful tool in promoting inclusion and plurality of values, but the city has also called upon its citizens to play a critical and active part in mobilizing design to inspire more innovative living environments that enhance daily life and existence.

The city exudes great economic and social development potential through the engine of design, and there is no doubt that it is backed by the support and involvement of its public, private and civil society sectors.